Doug Weight as part of Team USA in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. (Photo from the MiHockey archives)

By Nick Barnowski –

While he may have been joined by Ron Mason and Peter Karmanos, Jr., Doug Weight was the lone Michigan player to be named to the Class of 2013 for the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

Weight, a Warren native, joined former NHL and Team USA teammate Bill Guerin and female hockey pioneer Cindy Curley as the trio of players recognized by the Hall this morning.

“I’m so humbled and so honored to be inducted,” Weight said. “This is the greatest game in the world and I’m very blessed to meet so many great players and play under so many great coaches, it’s just a great day for me and my family.”

In 19 NHL seasons spent with the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Anaheim Ducks, New York Islanders, and the Hurricanes, Weight scored 278 goals and added 755 assists for 1033 points, enough for sixth all time among American born players.

Weight also wore the USA sweater at nine major international competitions, including the 1996 World Cup, where he and his fellow Americans defeated Canada. He spoke fondly about the impact of that tournament.

“To say I’m proud of it would be an understatement,” he said. “I do believe it has substantial meaning to these kids coming up that grow up in the United States, and it makes them instantly proud to wear that jersey.”

Weight was the NAHL's leading scorer before heading to college. (Photo from the MiHockey archives)

Weight started his hockey career in Michigan, playing in Saint Clair Shores for his father until he was 15.

“My memories were listening to the Red Wings games on the way home from my games with my father,” he said. “Playing against the likes of Compuware and Little Caesar’s in the Detroit area, it truly is Hockeytown.”

He then moved on to Lake Superior State, where he played two seasons, scoring 144 points, before being drafted by the Rangers in 1990.

“The state of Michigan was always where I wanted to play and Lake Superior was a great move for me,” he said. “I learned a lot about off-ice discipline and work ethic, it was a great place to play and the CCHA was a great time in my life.”

Despite never playing for the Red Wings, Weight still remains a fan of the team and noted how he would have loved to play in Detroit during his NHL career.

Details on when the election ceremony will take place have yet to be released.